Compositions containing a carbonamidoquinoxaline-di-N-oxide and method of using same

ABSTRACT

Animal feedstuffs are produced which comprise an antibacterially effective amount of a compound of the formula ##SPC1## 
     Wherein 
     Each of R 1  and R 2 , independent of the other, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy(lower alkyl), (lower alkoxy)lower alkyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl, or R 1  and R 2 , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, are pyrrolidino, piperidino, hexamethyleneimino, morpholino or thiomorpholino; and ##EQU1## in which Y is an oxygen or sulfur atom and R 3  is lower alkyl, hydroxy(lower alkoxy), lower alkoxy, pyridyl, or NR 5  R 6  in which each of R 5  and R 6 , independent of the other, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy(lower alkyl) or lower alkoxy(lower alkyl), or R 5  and R 6 , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, are pyrrolidino, piperidino, hexamethyleneimino, morpholino or thiomorpholino; 
     In combination with an animal feed or water. Administration of said compound is useful for accelerating animal growth and improving feed utilization in animals.This is a division of application Ser. No. 399,445 filed Sept. 30, 1973, which is a division of Ser. No. 249,121 filed May 1, 1972, which has been issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,839,326 on Oct. 1, 1974.

The present invention relates to derivatives of 2-formyl-3-carbonamidoquinoxaline-di-N-oxides, to methods for their production and use as antimicrobial agents and feed additives, and to compositions adapted to these uses.

In particular, this invention provides 2-formyl-3-carbonamidoquinoxaline-di-N-oxide compounds of the formula: ##SPC2##

Wherein

Each of R¹ and R², independent of the other, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy (lower alkyl), (lower alkoxy) lower alkyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl, or R¹ and R², together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, are pyrrolidino, piperidino, hexamethyleneimino, morpholino or thiomorpholino; and ##EQU2## in which Y is an oxygen or sulfur atom and R³ is lower alkyl, hydroxy (lower alkyl), lower alkoxy (lower alkyl), pyridyl, or --NR⁵ R⁶ in which each of R⁵ and R⁶, independent of the other, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy (lower alkyl) or lower alkoxy (lower alkyl), or R⁵ and R⁶, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, are pyrrolidino, piperidino, hexamethyleneimino, morpholino or thiomorpholino.

The term lower alkyl denotes a univalent saturated branched or straight hydrocarbon chain containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Representatives of such lower alkyl groups are thus methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec.butyl, tert.butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, tert.pentyl, hexyl, and the like.

The term lower alkoxy denotes a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain bound to the remainder of the molecule through an ethereal oxygen atom as, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, pentoxy and hexoxy.

These compounds are obtained by allowing a 2-bis (halogeno)methyl-3-carbonamidoquinoxaline to react with hydroxylamine or hydrazine derivative in the presence of a primary or secondary amine. This reaction may be represented as follows: ##SPC3##

In the above, X is chloro or fluoro and R¹, R² and Z are as defined above.

The reaction is carried out at temperatures from about 0° to about 50°C, preferably between 10° and 30°C, at normal or elevated pressure, generally normal pressure.

Preferably 1 to 2 mols of the hydrazine reactant or hydroxylamine, and preferably 2 mols of the primary or secondary amine are used per mol of the bishalogenomethyl compound. The amount of the amine employed can however be varied within wide limits. The nature of the primary or secondary amine used is relatively unimportant and it is possible to use alkyl, aralkyl, or aromatic amines such as methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, dimethylamine, methylethylamine, ethylpropylamine, diethylamine and the like. The amines can be introduced into the reaction solution as gases or be in the form of their aqueous solutions. The reaction is preferably conducted in an inert organic solvent, particularly a polar organic solvent such as alkanol, as for example methanol or ethanol; alkanoic nitriles such as acetonitrile, dimethylformamide and the like. Mixtures of these and of water can also be employed. It is advantageous to carry out the reaction in the presence of water, preferably of 0.1 to 50, especially 1 to 20% by weight of water relative to the weight of the solvent. Even catalytic amounts of water can favorably influence the reaction. Thus the bis(halogeno)methyl compound is suspended in one of the solvents, hydroxylamine or the hydrazine derivative and water are added, and approximately the calculated amount of a primary or secondary amine is added dropwise, with cooling if necessary. The compounds thus produced are isolated by convention methods.

The quinoxaline derivatives of this invention show strong antimicrobial effects. This activity can be observed against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, such as: Enterobacteriaceae, for example Escherichiae, especially Escherichia coil; Proteae, for example Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus morganii and Proteus rettgeri; Klebsielleae, for example Klebsiella pneumoniae; Salmonelleae; Pseudomonadaceae, for example Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Aeromonas, for example Aeromonas liquefaciens; Clostridia, for example Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium tetani; Cocci, especially Staphylococci, for example Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococci, for example Streptococcus pyogenes; Enterococci, for example Streptococcus faecalis; Mycoplasmae, for example Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma hominis; Mycobacteria; Pasteurella, for example Pasteurella multocida; and Bordetella, for example Bordetella bronchiseptica. As a result of this activity and their low toxicity, the compounds are useful in human and veterinary medicine in the treatment of infections in animals caused by Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and by mycoplasma. Infections of the respiratory tracts in poultry, especially in chicks, and mastitis of cows can be mentioned as particularly responsive to such treatment.

The method of treatment of microbial infections in animals according to this invention comprises the administration to the animal of an antimicrobially effective amount of a quinoxaline of Formula I. The amount administered will of course depend upon the nature and severity of the invention, whether the treatment is curative or prophylactic, the age and condition of the recipient of the treatment and the method of administration and dosage regimen. Generally, however, a suitable response is observed with the daily doses of from 1 to 100 mg/kg of body weight, especially 10 to 80 mg/kg. This of course must be adjusted to the individual case, utilizing sound professional judgment and careful observation of the response obtained.

As representative of the spectrum of antimicrobial activity for these compounds, the following representative minimum inhibitory concentrations shown on Tables A, B and C can be noted:

                                      Table A                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations In Vitro, in μg/ml of Medium              Compound                                                                       of    Klebsiella                                                                           Staphylo-                                                                            Strepto-                                                                            Escherichia                                                                           Proteus                                          Example     coccus                                                                               coccus                                                                              coli   vulgaris                                         No.   63 8085                                                                              aureus 133                                                                           pyogenes                                                                            C 165                                                                              A 261                                                                             specieis                                         __________________________________________________________________________     10    100                                                                               100                                                                               100   100  --  -- --                                               11    100                                                                               100                                                                               100   100  --  -- --                                               12    100                                                                               100                                                                                10   100  100 -- --                                               13    100                                                                                10                                                                               100   100  100 100                                                                               100                                              14    -- 100                                                                               100   100  --  -- --                                               15    100                                                                               100                                                                               100    10  100 100                                                                               --                                               16    -- 100                                                                               100   100  --  -- --                                               17    100                                                                                10                                                                               100   100  100 100                                                                               --                                               18    100                                                                                10                                                                               100   100  100 100                                                                               100                                              19    100                                                                               100                                                                               100   100  100 100                                                                               100                                              26    100                                                                                10                                                                               100   100  100 -- --                                               27    -- 100                                                                               --    100  --  -- --                                               __________________________________________________________________________

                  Table B                                                          ______________________________________                                                                            Pasteur-                                    Compound                                                                               Clostridium   Mycoplasma   ella                                        of                                       multo-                                Example                                  cida                                  No.     tetani  botulinum MS   S.sub.6                                                                             gran ATCC                                  ______________________________________                                         10       10      10       100   10   10   1                                    11       10      10       100   10   10   1                                    12       10      10       100   10   10   1                                    13      100     100       100  100  100  100                                   14      100     100       100  100  100  100                                   15      100     100       100  100  100  100                                   16      100     100       100  100  100  100                                   17      100     100       100  100  100  100                                   18      100     100       100  100  100  100                                   19      100     100       100  100  100  100                                   20      100     100       100  100  100  100                                   21      100      1         10   1   0.1   10                                   22      100      1        100   10   10   10                                   23      100      1        100  100   1   100                                   24      100      1        100  100   1   100                                   25      100      1        100  100   1   100                                   26      100      1        100  100  0.1  100                                   27      100     100       100  100  100  100                                   28      100     100       100  100  100  100                                   29      100     100       100  100  100  100                                   ______________________________________                                    

                  Table C                                                          ______________________________________                                         Compound                                                                       of      Alcaligenes                                                                              Bordetella                                                                              Aeromonas                                                                              Mycobacterium                               Example faecalis  bronchi- liquefaciens                                                                           species                                     No.     ATCC      septica                                                      ______________________________________                                         10      100       100      100     100                                         11      100       100      100     100                                         12      100       100      100     100                                         13      100       100      100     100                                         14      100       100      100     --                                          15      100       100      100     100                                         16      100       100      100     --                                          17      100       100      100     100                                         18      100       100      100     100                                         19      100       100      100      40- 100                                    20      100       100      100     100                                         21      100       100       1      100                                         22      100       100      0.1     100                                         23      100       100      100     100                                         24      100       100      100     100                                         25      100       100      100     --                                          26      100       100      100     --                                          27      100       100      100     --                                          28      100       100      100     --                                          29      100       100      100      40                                         ______________________________________                                    

The compounds of the present invention are administered parenterally or orally in any of the usual pharmaceutical forms. These include solid and liquid oral unit dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, powders, suspensions, solutions, syrups and the like, including sustained release preparations, and fluid injectable forms such as sterile solutions and suspensions. The term unit dosage form as used in this specification and the claims refer to physically discrete units to be administered in single or multiple dosage to animals, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material in association with the required diluent, carrier or vehicle. The quantity of active material is that calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect upon administration of one or more of such units.

Powders are prepared by comminuting the compound to a suitable fine size and mixing with a similarly comminuted diluent pharmaceutical carrier such as an edible carbohydrate material as for example, starch. Sweetening, flavoring, preservative, dispersing and coloring agents can also be present.

Capsules are made by preparing a powder mixture as described above and filling formed gelatin sheaths. A lubricant such as talc, magnesium stearate and calcium stearate can be added to the powder mixture as an adjuvant before the filling operation; a glidant such as colloidal silica may be added to improve flow properties; a disintegrating or solubilizing agent may be added to improve the availability of the medicament when the capsule is ingested.

Tablets are made by preparing a powder mixture, granulating or slugging, adding a lubricant and disintegrant and pressing into tablets. A powder mixture is prepared by mixing the compound, suitably comminuted, with a diluent or base such as starch, sucrose, kaolin, dicalcium phosphate and the like. The powder mixture can be granulated by wetting with a binder such as syrup, starch paste, acacia mucilage or solutions of cellulosic or polymeric materials and forcing through a screen. As an alternative to granulating, the powder mixture can be run through the tablet machine and the resulting imperfectly formed slugs broken into granules. The granules can be lubricated to prevent sticking to the tablet forming dies by means of the addition of stearic acid, a stearate salt, talc or mineral oil. The lubricated mixture is then compressed into tablets. The medicaments can also be combined with free flowing inert carriers and compressed into tablets directly without going through the granulating or slugging steps. A protective coating consisting of a sealing coat of shellac, a coating of sugar or polymeric material and a polish coating of wax can be provided. Dyestuffs can be added to these coatings to distinguish different unit dosages.

Oral fluids such as syrups and elixirs can be prepared in unit dosage form so that a given quantity, e.g., a teaspoonful, contains a predetermined amount of the compound. Syrups can be prepared by dissolving the compound in a suitably flavored aqueous sucrose solution while elixirs are prepared through the use of a non-toxic alcoholic vehicle. Suspensions can be formulated by dispersing the compound in a non-toxic vehicle in which it is insoluble.

Fluid unit dosage forms for parenteral administration can be prepared by suspending or dissolving a measured amount of the compound in a non-toxic liquid vehicle suitable for injection such as an aqueous or oleaginous medium and sterilizing the suspension or solution. Alternatively a measured amount of the compound is placed in a vial and the vial and its contents are sterilized and sealed. An accompanying vial or vehicle can be provided for mixing prior to administration.

In addition to their therapeutic use, the new compounds can also be used to promote the growth and improve feed utilization in animals, especially in raising young animals and fat-stock animals, as for example, calves, piglets and chicks.

The compounds can be administered in the feedstuff, in special feedstuff preparations, in preparations containing vitamins and/or mineral salts, or in the drinking water. Such administration of the compounds permits prevention or treatment of infections caused by Gram negative and by Gram positive bacteria and by mycoplasma, and additionally contributes to a more rapid growth of the animals and to better feed efficiency. In this embodiment, the compounds are preferably mixed into the feedstuff or the drinking water in a concentration of 1 to 200 ppm.

The use of these compounds as feed additives can be seen from the following feeding experiments (Table D).

Chicks in groups of 12 were kept in cages and supplied with water ad libitum and a complete chick feed into which was intimately mixed the indicated amount of the test compound. The results are as follows:

                                      Table D                                      __________________________________________________________________________             Chick Fattening Test Using the Compound of Example 20                                        Average Weight                                                                           Absolute Weight                                                                          Relative Weight                                     Initial Weight                                                                        of each animal                                                                           Increase (g) of                                                                          Increase (%)                                        (g) of each                                                                           after     each animal after                                                                        after                                        Concentration                                                                         animal 14 days                                                                             28 days                                                                             14 days                                                                             28 days                                                                             14 days                                                                             28 days                                 ppm                                                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Test 1                                                                         Control  0     59.3   170.8                                                                               335.2                                                                               111.5                                                                               275.9                                                                               100.0                                                                               100.0                           Compound of                                                                    Example 20                                                                             50     59.3   179.2                                                                               346.6                                                                               119.9                                                                               287.3                                                                               107.4                                                                               104.1                           Test 2                                                                         Control  0     59.1   168.3                                                                               351.6                                                                               109.2                                                                               292.5                                                                               100.0                                                                               100.0                           Compound of                                                                            10     59.1   173.3                                                                               358.3                                                                               114.2                                                                               299.2                                                                               104.5                                                                               102.2                           Example 20                                                                             20     59.1   175.8                                                                               360.0                                                                               116.7                                                                               300.9                                                                               106.8                                                                               102.8                           __________________________________________________________________________

The following examples will serve to further typify the nature of this invention without a limitation on the scope thereof.

EXAMPLE 1

2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazone-3-methylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide ##SPC4##

20 g (0.2 mol) of 45% strength aqueous dimethylamine solution are slowly added dropwise, with stirring, to a suspension of 30.2 g (0.1 mol) of 2-dichloromethyl-3-methylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide (Reactant A) and 10 g (0.11 mol) of hydrazinocarbonic acid monomethyl ester (Reactant B) in 120 ml of alcohol and 10 ml of water. After 5 hours the product is filtered off and 25 g (78.5% of theory) of 2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazine-3-methylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide are obtained as yellow crystals which after recrystallization from acetic acid melt at 228°C, with decomposition.

Analysis: C₁₃ H₁₃ N₅ O₅ (319); Calculated: C 49.0%; H 4.0%, N 21.9%; Found: C 48.8%; H 4.0%; N 21.9%.

The 2-dichloromethyl-3-carboxylic acid-methylamidoquinoxaline-di-N-oxide required as the starting compound, of the formula ##SPC5##

is obtained as follows: 340 g of chlorine are slowly passed into a solution of 466 g (2 mols) of 2-methyl-3-carboxylic acid-methylamido-quinoxaline-di-N-oxide in acetic acid at 80°-85°C. Thereafter the mixture is cooled to +15°C and the precipitate which has formed is filtered off. 480 g (80%) of 2-dichloromethyl-3-carboxylic acid-methylamido-quinoxaline-di-N-oxide are obtained as yellow crystals which after recrystallization from ethanol melt at 185°C.

Analysis: C₁₁ H₉ Cl₂ N₃ O₃ (302); Calculated: C 43.7%; H 2.98%; Cl 23.6%; Found: C 43.2%; H 3.1%; Cl 23.1%.

The remaining dichloro compounds required as starting compounds are obtainable analogously.

EXAMPLES 2-37

In a similar fashion to that described in Example 1, the following reactants are allowed to react:

    Example No.            Reactant A                                              ______________________________________                                         2-9          2-dichloromethyl-3-dimethylamino-                                              carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   10           2-dichloromethyl-3-piperidino-                                                 carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   11           2-dichloromethyl-3-diethylamino-                                               carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   12           2-dichloromethyl-3-pyrrolidino-                                                carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   13           2-dichloromethyl-3-methylamino-                                                carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   14           2-dichloromethyl-3-β-hydroxyethyl-                                        aminocarboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                              15           2-dichloromethyl-3-n-propylamino-                                              carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   16           2-dichloromethyl-3-cyclohexylamino-                                            carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   17           2-dichloromethyl-3-isopropylamino-                                             carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   18           2-dichloromethyl-3-ethylamino-                                                 carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   19           2-dichloromethyl-3-methylamino-                                                carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   20           2-dichloromethyl-3-β-hydroxyethyl-                                        aminocarboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                              21           2-dichloromethyl-3-morpholino-                                                 carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   22           2-dichloromethyl-3-ethylamino-                                                 carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   23           2-dichloromethyl-3-n-propylamino-                                              carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   24           2-dichloromethyl-3-i-propylamino-                                              carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   25-26        2-dichloromethyl-3-methylamino-                                                carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   27-29        2-dichloromethyl-3-β-hydroxyethyl-                                        carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   30-33        2-dichloromethyl-3-β-methoxyethyl-                                        carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   34           2-dichloromethyl-3-diethylamino-                                               carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   35           2-dichloromethyl-3-morpholino-                                                 carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   36           2-dichloromethyl-3-piperidino-                                                 carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   37           2-dichloromethyl-3-pyrrolidino-                                                carboxylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide                                   ______________________________________                                    

    Example No.            Reactant B                                              ______________________________________                                         2            hydrazinocarbonic acid methyl ester                               3            hydrazinocarbonic acid β-hydroxy-                                         ethyl ester                                                       4            hydrazinocarbonic acid ethyl ester                                5            hydrazinocarboxamide                                              6            N-morpholinocarbonylhydrazine                                     7            isonicotinoylhydrazine                                            8            hydroxylamine                                                     9            hydrazinothiocarboxamide                                          10-18        hydrazinocarbonic acid methyl ester                               19-20        hydroxylamine                                                      21          hydrazinocarbonic acid methyl ester                               22-24        hydroxylamine                                                      25          hydrazinocarbonic acid β-hydroxy-                                         ethyl ester                                                       26-27        hydrazinocarbonic acid ethyl ester                                 28          hydrazinocarbonic acid β-hydroxy-                                         ethyl ester                                                        29          N-morpholinocarbonylhydrazine                                      30          hydrazinocarbonic acid methyl ester                                31          hydrazinocarbonic acid ethyl ester                                 32          hydroxylamine                                                      33          hydrazinocarbonic acid β-hydroxy-                                         ethyl ester                                                       34-37        hydroxylamine                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The following products are thus respectively obtained: ##SPC6## ##EQU3## 

What is claimed is:
 1. An animal feedstuff which comprises a growth promoting amount of a compound of the formula: ##SPC7## whereineach of R¹ and R², independent of the other, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy(lower alkyl), (lower alkoxy)lower alkyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl, or R¹ and R², together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, are pyrrolidino, piperidino, hexamethyleneimino, morpholino or thiomorpholino; and ##EQU4## in which Y is an oxygen or sulfur atom and R³ is lower alkyl, hydroxy(lower alkoxy), lower alkoxy, pyridyl, or --NR⁵ R⁶ in which each of R⁵ and R⁶, independent of the other, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy(lower alkyl) or lower alkoxy(lower alkyl), or R⁵ and R⁶, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, are pyrrolidino, piperidino, hexamethyleneimino, morpholino or thiomorpholino;in combination with an animal feed.
 2. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein each of R¹ and R², independent of the other, are hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, cyclohexyl or R¹ and R², together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, are pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino; and R³ is amino, morpholino, pyridino, methoxy, ethoxy or 2-hydroxyethoxy.
 3. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 which is 2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazine-3-dimethylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 4. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 which is 2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazine-3-morpholinocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 5. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 which is 2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazine-3-diethylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 6. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 which is 2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazine-3-pyrrolidinocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 7. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 which is 2-formyloximido-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)aminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 8. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 which is 2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazine-3-piperidinocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 9. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 which is 2-formyloximido-3-ethylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 10. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 which is 2-formyloximido-3-n.-propylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 11. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 which is 2-formyloximido-3-i.-propylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 12. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 which is 2-formylcarbo-(2-hydroxyethoxy)hydrazine-3-methylaminocarbonyl-quinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 13. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 which is 2-formylcarboethoxyhydrazine-3-methylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 14. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein the compound is 2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazine-3-methylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 15. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is

    N--NH--CO--O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --OH.


16. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is

    N--NH--CO--O--C.sub.2 H.sub.5.


17. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is N--NH--CO--NH₂.
 18. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is ##EQU5##
 19. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is ##SPC8##
 20. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is NOH.
 21. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is N--NH--CS--NH₂.
 22. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is methyl and Z is N--NH--CO--OCH₃.
 23. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is hydroxyethyl and Z is N--NH--CO--OCH₃.
 24. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is propyl and Z is N--NH--CO--OCH₃.
 25. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is cyclohexyl and Z is N NH--CO--OCH₃.
 26. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is isopropyl and Z is N--NH--CO--OCH₃.
 27. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is ethyl and Z is N--NH--CO--OCH₃.
 28. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is methyl and Z is NOH.
 29. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is hydroxyethyl and Z is ##EQU6##
 30. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is hydroxyethyl and Z is ##EQU7##
 31. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is hydroxyethyl and Z is ##EQU8##
 32. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is methoxyethyl and Z is ##EQU9##
 33. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is methoxyethyl and Z is ##EQU10##
 34. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is methoxyethyl and Z is NOH.
 35. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is methoxyethyl and Z is ##EQU11##
 36. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² are each ethyl and Z is NOH.
 37. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached are ##EQU12## and Z is NOH.
 38. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached are ##SPC9##and Z is NOH.
 39. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached are ##SPC10##and Z is NOH.
 40. An animal feedstuff according to claim 1 wherein the compound is present in a concentration of 1 to 200 ppm of feed.
 41. A method of promoting growth in animals and of improving feed utilization in animals which comprises administering to said animal a growth promoting amount of a compound of the formula: ##SPC11##wherein each of R¹ and R², independent of the other, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy(lower alkyl), (lower alkoxy)lower alkyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl, or R¹ and R², together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, are pyrrolidino, piperidino, hexamethyleneimino, morpholino or thiomorpholino; and ##EQU13## in which Y is an oxygen or sulfur atom and R³ is lower alkyl, hydroxy(lower alkoxy), lower alkoxy, pyridyl, or --NR⁵ R⁶ in which each of R⁵ and R⁶, independent of the other, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy(lower alkyl) or lower alkoxy(lower alkyl), or R⁵ and R⁶, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, are pyrrolidino, piperidino, hexamethyleneimino, morpholino or thiomorpholino;in combination with an animal feed or water.
 42. A method according to claim 41 wherein each of R¹ and R², independent of the other, are hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, cyclohexyl or R¹ and R², together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, are pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino; and R³ is amino, morpholino, pyridino, methoxy, ethoxy or 2-hydroxyethoxy.
 43. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is 2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazine-3-dimethylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 44. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is 2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazine-3-morpholinocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 45. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is 2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazine-3-diethylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 46. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is 2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazine-3-pyrrolidinocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 47. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is 2-formyloximido-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)aminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 48. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is 2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazine-3-piperidinocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 49. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is 2-formyloximido-3-ethylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 50. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is 2-formyloximido-3-n.-propylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 51. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is 2-formyloximido-3-i.-propylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 52. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is 2-formylcarbo-(2-hydroxyethoxy)hydrazine-3-methylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 53. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is 2-formylcarbethoxyhydrazine-3-methylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 54. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is 2-formylcarbomethoxyhydrazine-3-methylaminocarbonylquinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxide.
 55. A method according to claim 41 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is N--NH--CO--O--CH₂ --CH₂ --OH.
 56. A method according to claim 41 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is N--NH--CO--O--C₂ H₅.
 57. A method according to claim 41 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is N--NH--CO--NH₂.
 58. A method according to claim 41 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is ##SPC12##
 59. A method according to claim 41 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is ##SPC13##
 60. A method according to claim 41 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is NOH.
 61. A method according to claim 41 wherein R¹ and R² are each methyl and Z is N--NH--CS--NH₂.
 62. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is methyl and Z is N--NH--CO--OCH₃.
 63. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is hydroxyethyl and Z is N--NH--CO--OCH₃.
 64. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is propyl and Z is N--NH--CO--OCH₃.
 65. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is cyclohexyl and Z is N--NH--CO--OCH₃.
 66. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is isopropyl and Z is N--NH--CO--OCH₃.
 67. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is ethyl and Z is N--NH--CO--OCH₃.
 68. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is methyl and Z is NOH.
 69. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is hydroxyethyl and Z is ##EQU14##
 70. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is hydroxyethyl and Z is ##EQU15##
 71. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is hydroxyethyl and ##EQU16##
 72. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is methoxyethyl and Z is ##EQU17##
 73. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is methoxyethyl and Z is ##EQU18##
 74. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is methoxyethyl and Z is NOH.
 75. A method according to claim 41 wherein one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and the other is methoxyethyl and Z is ##EQU19##
 76. A method according to claim 41 wherein R¹ and R² are each ethyl and Z is NOH.
 77. A method according to claim 41 wherein R¹ and R² together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached are ##EQU20## and Z is NOH.
 78. A method according to claim 41 wherein R¹ and R² together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached are ##SPC14##and Z is NOH.
 79. A method according to claim 41 wherein R¹ and R² together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached are ##SPC15##and Z is NOH.
 80. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is administered in combination with the animal's regular feed.
 81. A method according to claim 80 wherein the concentration of the compound is 1 to 200 ppm of the compound per part of feed.
 82. A method according to claim 41 wherein the compound is administered in combination with the animal's drinking water.
 83. A method according to claim 82 wherein the concentration of the compound is 1 to 200 ppm of the compound per part of water. 